Attaching means for apparel elements



Oct. 27, 1942. H. M. HERBENER ATTACHING MEANS FOR APPAREL ELEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1940 nnnnnn l Oct. 27, 1942. H. M. HERBr-:Nx-:R

ATTACHING MEANS FOR APPAREL ELEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 14, 1940 Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHING MEANS FOR APPAREL ELEMENTS Henry M. Herbener, Thomasville, Ga.

Application November 14,1940, Serial No. 365,693

9 Claims.

My invention relates to apparel and has particular reference to attaching means for hose supporters or the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide reliable and simple means for securing the the foundation garment when the foundation gar-` ment is itself in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attaching element for use in connection with a flexible fabric garment part, which element and garment part are so constructed and arranged that when the attaching element is applied to the garment part it will not accidentally or improperly pull out or separate therefrom, 4and the attaching element and garment part are also adapted to be manipulated for the ready connection and disconnection of the attaching element and garment part.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the garters may be attached to the foundation garment at selected circumferential points.

A further object of the invention is to provide means which will permit of the attachment or detachment of hose or garment supporters to and from a foundation garment whereby such foundation garment, such as -a girdle or panty girdle, may be worn with or Without hose supporters.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the supporter may be attached to the foundation garment at different points thus increasing the comfort of the individual or wearer and also properly distributing the wear by changing the position of the supporter.

A further object of the invention is to prov'ide means for the removal, attachment, or replacement of a hose supporter without involving any stitching operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above-mentioned character which is thin or flat to a high degree, eliminating unsightly bumps.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above-mentioned character which is highly comfortable and non-irritating in use.

A further object of the invention is 'to provide means which will not materially impair the yielding action of the bottom edge of a foundation garment such as a girdle or panty girdle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

This application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No. 231,996, filed September 27, 1938, for Girdle or like article of apparel.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a panty girdle l5 having my invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a hose supporter and associated elements, parts in section,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a slightly modied form of hose supporter attachment,

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a girdle and strap, with my invention applied thereto,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the end of the strap and associated elements,

Figure l is a transverse section taken on line 1 1 of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a girdle showing a modified form of hose supporter attach- 9 L9 ment,

Figure 11a is a transverse section taken on line I la-i Ia of Figure 10a,

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through the band, showing the same folded upon itself and the supporting element or clasp inserted in the pockets or guides,

Figure 12 is a similar view, showing the band straightened out so that the jaws of the clasp will enter the jaw receiving pockets,

Figure 13 is a similar View, showing the 4band bent or folded inwardly in opposite directions to withdraw the jaws of the clasp' from the jaw receiving pockets,

Figure 14 is a perspective View of the attaching element or clasp,

Figure 15 is a transverse section taken on line I 5-l5 of Figure '7, showing the manner of weaving the band, and,

Figure 16 is a similar View taken on line l3i 6 of Figure 9.

In Figure l, the numeral 23 designates a panty girdle, which is both horizontally and vertically elastic. The panty girdle is provided at its top and bottom with longitudinally elastic bands 2|. These bands correspond to the bands 36 in my Patent 2,136,742. The bands 2l have transverse pockets 22, the opposite walls of which are longitudinally elastic and these pockets receive stiffening ribs 23.

The panty girdle is equipped with hose supporters 24, including straps 25, passed. about U-shaped attaching elements or clasps 26, including spaced sides 21, having inwardly projecting jaws 28, provided withV tapered upper ends. The attaching element or clasp 2S is adapted to be inserted within a pocket 29, which is woven in the band 2l, between'any two of the rib holding pockets 22. The pocket 29I has an intermediate web or horizontal shoulder 3i), woven integral with the fabric band 2l and with the sides of the pocket 23 and forming contracted openings 3l on the opposite sides of the web. The web or shoulder 33 is exible and is longitudinally elastic, to a certain extent, but is much stiier than the side walls of the pocket 29 since it is much thicker. Ihe web or shoulder 3E] has a substantial vertical dimension and hence is relatively stiff vertically.

In use, the sides of the attaching element or clasp 23 are inserted through the openings 3l and the jaws 23 horizontally stretch the side walls of the pocket 29 and nally assume an inner position over the web or shoulder 3i). Particular attention is called to the fact that the jaws 28 have horizontal shoulders which engage over the web or shoulder 33. The web is iiexible and forms a horizontal shoulder. The jaws 28 extend inwardly and are spaced or separated to provide a passage between them, which passage is arranged above the web or shoulder 30. The sides 2l of the attaching element or clasp are preferably rigid. The sides of the pockets upon the opposite sides of the web form guides for the clasps. Since the web 3l) is flexible it may be bent upon itself and pulled so that it is withdrawn from beneath the shoulders of the jaws 28. During this operation, the openings or guides 3| are stretched so that they will receive the jaws which may now be withdrawn through the same, for the separation of the garment and the clasp. The web 33 is vertically long, as shown, and is therefore relatively stiff or strong against downward pull.

In Figure 4, I have shown a slight modiication of the attaching element or clasp, and in this gure the clasp 23 carries a hook 32 detachably receiving the strap 25.

The pockets 29 may be positioned between any two of the pockets 22, thus enabling the hose supporter to be secured to the lower band 2l at any selected point around the leg.

In Figure 5, the numeral 33 designates a girdle which is preferably horizontally and vertically elastic and 34 is a strap to be used in connection with the same. Each end oi this strap is detachably connected at the front and rear of the girdle by means of clasps 2S, having the hooks 32. The girdle has the pockets 29 and webs or shoulders 30 woven integral therewith as described in connection with Figure 2. The strap 34 has loops 35 to engage over the hooks 32.

In Figures 8 to 16 inclusive, I have shown a further modification of my invention. In these figures, the numeral 3E designates a girdle which may be horizontally and vertically elastic and may have a front panel 3l which may be horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic. The girdle may or may not have a back panel. The girdle may not have a iront panel. The girdle may be equipped at its top with a band 38 which is horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic and which has transverse stiiening ribs and this band corresponds to the band 36 shown in my Patent 2,136,742.

Secured to the bottom edge of the girdle 36 is a fabric band 39, included in the present invention. This fabric band comprises a pair of opposed layers or sides lill, which are secured together near their top edges by a line or lines of weaving 4l, extending for the entire length of the band. The top portions of the sides 4l] above the line or lines of weaving 4l constitute attaching extensions 42, which receive therebetween the bottom edge of the girdle 3S and these parts vare secured together by a line of stitching 43. The band 39 is preferably longitudinally elastic and vertically non-elastic. The layers or sides 4Q are connected at longitudinally spaced intervals by sets of horizontal webs or shoulders 44, 45, and 43, woven integral with the layers or sides 4 3. These webs d, 45, and 45 are flexible and are longitudinally elastic. These webs have a substantial vertical dimension and hence are relatively vertically strong or stiff against downward pulling movement. The webs in each group have their central vertical axes in alinement and the webs are vertically spaced. The lowermost web 44 is vertically longer than the intermediate web 45, and the intermediate web 45 is horizontally longer than the web 44, and the uppermost web 43 preferably has the same vertical length as the intermediate web 45 but is shorter horizontally and is preferably of the same horizontal length as the web 44. The groups of webs form-between them passages or guide pockets 4l, and the webs in each group produce horizontal jaw receiving pockets 48, 49, and 5i?.

When the band 39 is attached to a girdle which is horizontally elastic the band is also horizontally elastic but I also contemplate having the band horizontally non-elastic as it may be used with some degree of success when non-elastic upon an elastic girdle or it may be applied to a girdle which islnon-elastic in whole or in part.

In Figures l0ad and 11a, I have shown a modified form of bandwhich is horizontally or longitudinally elastic and vertically non-elastic. This band comprises opposed layers or sides 50a which are connected at spaced intervals by lines of stitching 58h, 52C, and 55d. Each of these lines of stitching includes a horizontal portion and vertical ends. These lines of stitching not only connect the layers or sides 52a but form flexible shoulders and jaw receiving pockets 53e, Ef, and 53g. The stitching is preferably zig-zag so that the horizontalelasticity of the band will not be materially reduced. The shoulders are therefore longitudinally elastic and since the band is vertically non-elastic the shoulders are strong against downward pull. The groups of shoulders provide guide pockets 59h, corresponding to the pockets 4l and the upper portions 50i Vof the layers or sides 53a above the uppermost shoulders constitute attaching extensions to receive the edge of the' foundation garment-therebetween.

The numeral l designates a U-shaped attaching element or clasp, preferably formed of metal, Celluloid, or the like. This U-shaped clasp is rigid edgewise and resilient sidewise. The U- shaped clasp comprises upstanding spaced arms 52 and a closed end 53, having a slot 54 to receive a band 55 carrying a hose supporter element 56.

The arms 52 are provided with an opposed pair of horizontal inwardly projecting jaws 5l', arranged at an elevation to enter the opposite ends oi the jaw receiving pocket The arms have a pair oi inwardly extending opposed horizontal jaws 58, arranged above the jaws 5l and at an elevation to enter the opposite ends of the pocket 49. The arms 52 are provided at their upper ends with a pair of opposed inwardly extending jaws 59, arranged above the jaws 5l and at an elevation to enter the opposite ends of the pockets 50. The jaws 58 project inwardly beyond the jaws 5l and the opening between the inner ends of the jaws 5l greater than the opening between the inner ends of the jaws 58 while the jaws 59 project inwardly beyond the jaws 58 and the opening between the jaws 58 is larger than the opening between the jaws 59.

Figure ll is a horizontal section through the band 39 and is in the nature of a bottom plan view. To secure the attaching element or clasp 5i to the band 39 the band is folded transversely near or upon the selected group of 'webs and the arms 52 are bent slightly laterally in opposite directions and inserted into the adjacent guide pockets t?, subsequently to which the band 39 is pulled to straighten the same out, Figure l2, When this is done the jaws 5l, 5t, and 59 will enter the opposite ends of' the jaw receiving pockets 58, t9, and 5i). To separate the attaching element or clasp 5i from the band, the portion of the band adjacent to the group oi webs is forced inwardly in opposite directions, Figure 13, whereby the web carrying portion of the band is folded upon itself and worked upon one side of the clasp, Figure 14, and this causes the jaws to .be removed from the jaw receiving pockets, subsequently to which the attaching element or clasp is removed from the band 39 by a downward movement.

The pull upon the attaching element or clasp 5l is considerable and when the parts are subjected to undue strains, there is some tendency for the clasp to cut through the band, where only one web or shoulder is provided. The provision of a plurality of horizontal jaws, affords the maximum strength, and also reduces to the minimum this tendency of the jaws to cut through, allowing the band to be made of light material.

As stated, the band 59 is shown and described as longitudinally elastic and vertically non-elastic. The sides or layers 4Q are therefore horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic and hence the side walls of the spaces or guide pockets 4l are horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic. rhe webs ed, d5, and te are ilexible and horizontally elastic, but these webs are vertically non-elastic. ceiving pockets Lit, A9, and 5U are horizontally elastic and vertically non-elastic. This is the preferred construction but, as stated, the band may be formed both horizontally and vertically non-elastic and the invention is not necessarily restricted to forming the band 3a vertically nonelastic.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to The side walls of the jaw' rebe taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus vdescribed my invention, what I claim is:

1, A fabric garment part having spaced generally vertical pockets and a generally horizontal shoulder forming portion between the generallyv vertical pockets, a 'clasp having spaced arms for insertion within the generally vertical pockets, saidv arms having inwardly extending jaws to engage over the generally horizontal shoulder forming portion, the' inner ends of the jaws being separate, the generally horizontal shoulder forming portion being llexible so that it may be bent and moved out of the path of travel of the jaws so that the laws may be withdrawn through the generally vertical pockets, and an apparel element carriedhby `the clasp,

2. A garment having a pocket which is generally horizontally elastic, said pocket having side walls, a vertically long web arranged between the side walls and formed integral therewith and providing an opening, a clasp for insertion through the opening and having a shoulder to engage over the top of the web and a free end spaced from `the shoulder, and a garment supporter carried by the free end of the clasp.

3. A foundation garment which is horizontally elastic throughout at least a part of its circum- `ference, a horizontally elastic band secured to the lower end of the garment, said band being provided with a group of spaced generally Vertical pockets, the opposite sides of the pockets being elastic horizontally, stifening ribs held Within the pockets, said band being provided with a second set of spaced generally vertical pockets arranged between the rst named pockets, each pocket in the second set having opposite sides which are horizontally elastic, each last named pocket having a contracted opening and a shoulder, a removable clasp to be inserted through the contracted opening andihaving a shoulder to engage over the first named shoulder, and a garment supporter carried by the clasp.

4. A garment having an elastic pocket, said pocket including sides and a web connecting the sides, said web being spaced from the edges of the pocket to provide contracted openings, a U- shaped clasp for insertion in the pocket through the openings and having jaws to engage with the web, said clasp having a hook, and a hose supporter removably mounted upon the hook.

5. A ilexible fabric band comprising opposed sides, the sides being woven together longitudinally at a line near and spaced from the top edge to provide upper side portions to receive the edge of a garment, horizontally spaced groups oi webs woven integral with the sides beneath the line of Weaving for forming guide pockets between the groups, each group of webs including vertically spaced webs, an attaching element comprising spaced arms for insertion within the guide pockets, said arms having vertically spaced pairs of inwardly facing jaws for engagement over the ends of the webs, and a garment element carried by the attaching element.

6. A fabric band comprising opposed sides,

kgroups of webs secured to the sides, said groups a group of spaced inwardly facing jaws to engage over the shoulders, said attaching element being adapted to carry a garment part.

7. A fabric band comprising opposed sides, groups of webs woven integral with the sides, said groups extending transversely of the fabric band and spaced longitudinally thereof, the webs in each group being spaced, a generally U-shaped clasp having opposed -arms which are flexible so that one arm may be shifted laterally with respect to the other, each arm having a group of spaced inwardly facing jaws to engage over the Webs, said clasp being adapted to carry a garment part. v

8. A garment part provided with a group of ilexible vertically spaced.v generally horizontal pockets, the opposite ends of each pocket being open, an attaching element comprising laterally spaced arms, each arm having jaws which are spaced longitudinally of the same, the jaws of one arm forming with the jaws ofthe other arm transverse pairs, the jaws in each transverse pair extending inwardly and having their inner ends separate and adapted for insertion within the opposite ends of a selected pocket, the arrangement being such that a selected pocket may be withdrawn from its jaw by folding the pocket upon itself.

9. A garment part having a group of spaced flexible vertically spaced generally horizontal pockets, the opposite ends of the pockets being open, an yattaching element having opposed groups of jaws, the jaws in each group being spaced longitudinally of the element, the jaws in each group extending inwardly toward the jaws of the other group, the inner ends of the two groups of jaws being separate and adapted for insertion in the opposite ends of the pockets, the arrangement being such that the pockets may be withdrawn from the jaws by folding the pockets upon themselves, and a garment element carried by the attaching element.

HENRY M. HERBENER. 

